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24 hours news TV totally changed the State Department comms staple, the cable. Pete hopped on the “wireless” to save a democracy and Amb. John Feeley connected with Panamanians using ridiculous (but very sweet) Facebook videos.  Disruptive technologies including AI will never replace human trust, but they create opportunity for better diplomacy.

By listener request, Pete and Laura have binged the Netflix show The Diplomat. Pete answers:  How real is it? Laura answers (even though no one actually asked): How good is it? But importantly, how easy is it to make a story that mirrors real-life complexity and still moves and rolls and satisfies purely from the standpoint of story craft?

In last Sunday’s election, President Erdogan received almost half of the vote, but not enough to be the winner - yet.  How does he hold onto power?  Turkey’s economy is in great peril and journalists are in prison while Erdogan dismantles democratic institutions.  Is Erdogan, like many other autocratic leaders, a narcissist?  Or is there more to understand about him?  And if he does prevail in the May 28 runoff, what will be the impacts on Turkish lives and global geopolitics?

Say what?  "Reforms?"  Or simply a way for Netanyahu to skirt the law and consolidate power?  True, some felt that the Israeli court had abused its power, but is it a coincidence that Netanyahu faced charges of corruption and abuse of public trust, against which these new reforms would protect him? The Israeli government has few checks. Neuter the courts, and there's only one organ of power, an unchecked parliament.  

Years ago, many wondered what had become the purpose of NATO.  Not anymore!  General Doug Lute, former US Permanent Representative to NATO (also former Deputy National Security Adviser) brings us up-to-date on the significance of the organization's acceptance of Finland, rejection of Sweden, relationship with Ukraine, and role in global geopolitics since its inception.  This year NATO will be 75 years old!  Ready to retire?  No way.

Today we are reposting one of our most informative episodes on China, which Laura often thinks of when analyzing today's global news:  Why does the West find China so confounding in matters of business and diplomacy? Phil Shull, retired Foreign Agricultural Service officer, explains: China’s culture and history may be best understood by its written character for “population”, which is comprised of symbols for “person” and “mouth”.  Chinese don’t ask, “How’s it going?” but instead, “Have you eaten today?” For more, read Phil’s article, Dealing with the Dragon, in the Foreign Service Journal, at this link: https://www.afsa.org/dealing-dragon  

Wait a sec!  Diplomacy is between countries, right? So why does State have a whole office for City and State Diplomacy? Ambassador Nina Hachigian, head of this brand new office, introduces this innovation in diplomacy. Often transnational issues such as economic inequality, climate change, pandemic response, and threats to democracy are felt in cities first, and cities often find solutions most quickly. The upcoming Cities Summit of the Americas in Denver will host thousands of representatives from cities and states, who will share powerful solutions to global challenges.  

On April 26, President Biden will host the second state dinner of his presidency, with President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea.  Why is this only the second one of Biden's presidency?  Why is South Korea so important for US interests?  What are the economic and political pressures in Asia that impact South Korea that so impact the United States?  When and why did we enter, 70 years ago, into the U.S.-South Korea alliance, to be celebrated at this state dinner?  Ambassador and Korea expert Kathy Stevens joins us to explain.

Ambassador Kevin Whitaker is back to share his knowledge of the populist president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who has imprisoned thousands and violated human rights brazenly, all in the name of (rather effectively) curbing violence and bringing security to the people of his country.  Pete asks, is Bukele an authoritarian demagogue or savior?  

Jimmy Carter is in hospice and Lizzy Shackelford is back to focus on human rights in foreign policy, the first rules for which began under Carter’s presidency.  Although the rules survive, our government continues to send military support and weapons to repressive regimes throughout the world. Why? Some say that our investment buys us influence – but could the US promote human rights by at least defunding repressive dictatorships that do nothing to support US interests?

Argentina, 1970s.  The president catches a cold and dies.  Who succeeds him?  His VP, also his fifth-grade educated wife, selected expressly because she posed no threat to the president’s power.  So then what?  The word “disappeared” goes from being a verb form to a noun.  Thousands of people become the “disappeared”, and thousands of others are tortured and killed.  What do we learn from this?  It’s important to have a VP capable of true leadership, an important point to keep in mind in the upcoming US presidential election.

For Women's History Month, Ambassador Pru Bushnell returns with leadership tips for women.  A lot of power is theater, and we can use those trappings of power to lead with authority.  One, keep the alphas from using all the air time.  Two, don't throw a telephone across the room (leave that to Henry Kissinger); instead, perhaps use a low voice and speak succinctly.  And, don't carry a purse, don't allow people to address you by your first name in public, and make people stand up when you enter the room.  And, never forget to use your "mother" tone of voice.  

Pete and John Feeley follow on last week's interview with Felix Maradiaga, freed Nicaraguan political prisoner.  Pete and John learn the diplomatic and human story behind the story with Patrick Ventrell, one of our diplomats overseeing the evacuation of Felix and so many others freed along with him on the same day.  

The greatest threat to the Ortega regime in Nicaragua?  Ideas.  And that’s how Félix Maradiaga, Nicaraguan political activist, ended up in solitary confinement, in darkness, for months on end, with little food, little water and suffering interrogations without end.  And his dearest wish, now, safe in the US?  To be guided not by hate or resentment but by love, to create a different future for not only his grandchildren but those of his torturers.  Welcome to the United States, Mr. Maradiaga.  You elevate us all.

Who can become a sex or labor trafficking victim? Anyone. We all need food and shelter; we all need to provide for our children, just to name a few. Traffickers are expert at exploiting our needs. Dominique Roe-Sepowitz, Director of the ASU Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, helps us understand in depth how it is that Arizona, and the rest of the United States, and every country in the world, are impacted, both domestically and through immigration – after all, who leaves their home country? The desperate. And the desperate are exactly the target for traffickers. Watch Dominique’s TedX talk and prepare to be amazed.

More on the labrynth of intelligence, strategy and diplomacy in Ukraine. Centralized control works in concert with decentralized execution, diplomacy is working and countries are working together. Pete continues his candid chat with General Ben Freakley and Ambassaor Mike Polt on the combined efforts of intelligence, military and diplomacy in Ukraine.  

Ambassador Mike Polt and General Ben Freakley of ASU's Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab join Pete for a discussion of Ukraine from a combined diplomatic, military and intelligence perspective, covering not only strategy and the situation on the ground but also ideological and even psychological dimensions of the war there. Among the interesting questions: What do we have to blame ourselves for? Part one of a two-part series.

Iranian citizens are being raped and publicly hanged by their government. We are past the point of words of solidarity. Goli Ameri, diplomat and humanitarian, helps us understand not just the complexity of events on the ground, but how this costs us as Americans, in lives lost through armed conflict, in funds spent, in the weakening of the US global position, and by the consequences of Iran's nuclear threat. What can we as Americans do to address this extraordinary humanitarian crisis?

Were the riots in Brazil on January 8, 2023, a January 6 copycat, or a situation all their own? Ambassador Michael McKinley weighs in (hint – he’s far too subtle and informed to toss off a slapdash comparison). Factors affecting coutries worldwide incluide the usual suspects - resentment politics, fear, economic crises, COVID, changing trade norms - but polarized politics are everywhere. Leaders are old these days. Have they talked to 20-year-olds? 40-year-olds? Today's challenges are different than the old days and politcs as usual are not delivering. Plus, you get to hear Laura's dear friend and Brazilian jazz pianist Helio Alves – or watch him play here. Enjoy!

Kathleen Stephens, former ambassador to Korea, shares her perspective on how the culture of the US Foreign Service has changed, as have the cultures of Korea and the United States concurrently.  From cultures that favored workaholism to ones with greater gender equity, younger people have pushed for greater balance of priorities, in favor of the long view of what a life should be.